Following the recent succesful launch in Korea, LG Optimus G Pro has found its way to Japan shores and is now available through NTT Docomo. Packed in an Optimus G body, the Japanese version features a slightly smaller 5-inch FullHD IPS screen.

As noted and rumored earlier, the Japanese version of the Optimus G Pro will feature a 5-inch IPS LCD FullHD touchscreen rather than the 5.5-inch bound for international release. This means that it also has a slightly better 440 ppi. The rest of the specs include quad-core 1.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 600, 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage expandable by microSD card slot. It still features 13-megapixel main snapper, 2.1-megapixel front camera and the same 3000mAh battery which is now non-removable.

The Japanese version of the Optimus G Pro is slightly thicker than its international counterpart since it is packed in an Optimus G body so full dimensions are set at 139x70x9.9mm.

It runs on Android Jelly Bean 4.1.2 OS and, as noted, available through NTT Docomo.

Samsung will launch its first Tizen-based smartphone next year and Japanese consumers will get a taste of the new OS first.

According to a Japanese daily, the new device will be sold through NTT Docomo and other carriers, starting at some point in 2013. European carriers are also interested in Tizen, including Vodafone and France Telecom.

Samsung apparently hopes to build a platform around Tizen, to rival the likes of Apple and Google. High hopes to say the least, but then again we are already hearing rumours of an X phone from Motorola’s skunk works, which is apparently Google’s idea of an insurance policy in case Samsung tries to go it alone.

Tizen is a Linux-based operating system and it only came to being after Nokia chose to pull the plug on MeeGo. Intel and Samsung took over and the Linux Foundation is now in charge of overseeing development. In addition to smartphones, Tizen could be used in tablets, smart TVs and other devices, even appliances. It's a shot across Google’s bow, but we're not sure it can sink Android.